Generative Psychiatry: Preparing for a Future with AI in the Room

Ambient voice technology (AVT), an application of Artificial Intelligence (AI), is fast establishing itself as a key tool within the UK National Health Service (NHS), with a particular ability to reduce the administrative burden of documentation. Trusts are exploring its use and potential benefits to productivity, staff morale and the quality of clinical interactions. However, psychiatric settings have seen limited use thus far, and present unique challenges both clinically and in terms of postgraduate training.

This article draws on the experience of our team, which has been working to implement AVT across several Child and Adolescent Mental Health services (CAMHS) within our NHS trust, and highlights issues relating to clinical documentation, trainee development and clinical governance. We argue that these issues will need to be considered by training programme directors and trainees going forwards to ensure that implementation is beneficial to patients, facilitates training, and is safe. We also argue that the leadership of psychiatric trainees will be key to any successful realisation of the benefits of AVT.